Automatic switch



May 7, 1946.

A. W. VINCENT AUTOMATIC SWITCH Filed Jan. 1, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l Ha IZcL l3a.

ATTORN EY y 1946' A. w. VINCENT 2,399,962

AUTOMATIC SWITCH Filed Jan. 1, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ANDREW W. VlNCENT BY W ATTORNEY Patented May 7, 1946 AUTOMATIC SWITCH Andrew W. Vincent, Rochester, N. Y., assig-nor to Stromberg-Carlson Company, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 1, 1945, Serial No. 570,923

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a three-dimensional coordinate switch suitable for interconnectin telephone lines, and the like.

While three dimensional cross-bar switches have been proposed by others, the present invention has for its main purpose the production of a reliable three dimensional coordinate switch, the respective parts of which can be manufactured and assembled at relatively low cost.

The invention will best be understood by reference to the drawings in which Fig. l is a per spective view of the cross-bar switch of the present invention with parts thereof broken away and with. many parts thereof omitted ior simplicity in disclosure, the switch being illustrated as interconnecting a calling line to a called line through a link or trunk; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the present switch particularly illustrating a horizontal actuating ribbon. and a vertical actuating band which jointly function to operate an actuator, the actuator in turn serving to urge the conducting strips of a set into engagement with the respective contacts or a plate; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view or a plate showing a window therein and the relation of the contacts thereof at this window as well as a fragment of a single conducting strip extending through the window; Figs. 4 to 7 inclu sive respectively illustrate the three conducting sheets and one of the sheets of insulating material comprising one of the plates or the switch; and Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view showing a hori zontal actuating ribbon and a vertical band co operating therewith to advance an actuator to its operated position.

The switch comprises a plurality of spaced plates preferably of rectangular shape. Each plate (Fig. 3) is made of three or more rectangu lar sheets 6, l and 8 (Figs. 4, 5 and 6) of electrically conducting material separated by sheets of insulating material 9 (Fig. 7). Each plate has a plurality of windows l0, preferably coordinately arranged therein. The number of windows in each plate will be determined by the use for which the switch is intended. By way of example, it may be assumed that these plates are ten in number, as shown in Fig. 1 and that each pair of plates serve as a trunk or link. It may be further assumed that these five trunks are used to interconnect twenty-five telephone hues of which only two, designated A and B, are illustrated. Therefore, each plate has twenty-five windows therein, the corresponding windows in the several plates being in alinement with each other. The number of these plates as well as the number oi windows therein and the use for which the plates are designed, is not to be limited to this example.

The conducting sheets 6, l and 8 have contact elements 5a, la and 8c respectively, integral therewith and extending in staggered relation into each window, generally in the plane of their respective sheets. The contact elements 6a, la and 8c have welded thereto relatively long fixed contacts 6b, lb and 8b of German silver, the efiective edges of which contacts have strips of precious metal 60, lo and joined thereto.

The alined windows of the several plates, have sets at conducting strips ll, l2 and I3 extending therethroug'h, each set of said strips in the example assumed, corresponding to the conductors of one of the twenty-five telephone lines of which only lines A and B are indicated. The sheets of insulation 9 at the lower edge of each window in a plate ii, are provided with notches l4 (Fig, 7) which receive and guide the connecting strips ll, l2 and it. It should be pointed out that the vertical dimension of each window opening in the several conducting sheets i, l and 8 is greater than the vertical dimension of each window opening plus the depth of the notches l4 commuhicating therewith, in the insulating sheets 9. Thus, the several strips 'll, I2 and I3 will not short circuit the sheets 6, 1 and 8. Each set of strips comprises one strip for each conducting sheet in each plate. The respective conducting strips are provided with a series of sets of twin spring elements Ila, l2a and l3a to which there are welded contacts llb, l2b and l3b of precious metal for engagement respectively with the precious metal contacts 80, 1c and 8c. The spring elements Ila, IM and l3a at each window engage spaced kerfs in an actuator I5 (Fig. 2 made from sheet insulating material. The actuator it extends generally at right angles to the spring elements andparallel to the plane of its related plate 5. Each actuator is provided at its upper edge with an integral upright lug l6, having the vertical edges lBa and lib (Figs. 2 and. 8). The edge llib meets a, horizontal edge I60. extending to a notch l6d which serves as a catch, as will be described.

Each of a row of actuators l5 associated with a horizontal row of windows 10, is adapted to be shifted toward the right (Figs. 1 and 2) ,by a horizontal actuating ribbon l9 which may be made from strip metal or like flexible material. Each ribbon, the principal plane of which extends in a horizontal direction, is provided with keris lid to receive the lugs ll of a row of actuators II. The left end of the her! Ila in the actuating ribbon opens into a cut-out portion which defines a flexible tongue llb having s e d adjacent the kerf "a. This tongue normally points to the horizontal edge lie of the lug ll of its related actuator. However, under a condition to be described the free end of the tongue it!) engages the notch lld (Fig. in the actuator. to hold this actuator in its advanced right hand position, for the P rpose of eifecting interengagement between certain sets of contact lb, lb, lb and lib, l2b, llb, as will be described. Each ribbon i3 is adapted to be advanced toward the right against the action of a restoring spring 2!, by its individual magnet. Two only of these magnets, designated 22a and 20b, are shown.

Each vertical row of windows il in each plate is likewise provided with a vertical actuating band 23 of metal or like flexible material. The principal plane of each vertical band extends at right angles to its related plate and to the several horizontal bands related thereto. Each vertical band is provided at each window with a T- shaped opening (Figs. 1 and 2) comprising a horizontal part 24 and a vertical part 25. The horizontal part of the opening receives one or the horizontal ribbons is in the region of one of its flexible tongues lib. Thus all of the vertical bands 23 associated with a given plate 5, receive in their T-shaped openings all of the horizontal ribbons also associated with that plate. The vertical part 25 or the T-shaped opening receives the left end of one of the actuators l5. It should be noted particularly that all ten of the bands 23, related to a vertical row of striplike conductors ii, i2 and H, are secured at their lower ends to a horizontal bar 27. Each bar 21 is moved downward by its individual magnet against the action of a restoring spring or springs 29. Two only 01' these individual magnets designated 28a and 28b are illustrated.

As disclosed herein, a pair of plates 5, constitute portions of a trunk or link which portions are interconnected by conductors 3|, 32 and 33 as well as by the usual link or trunk equipment indicated by the rectangle 34 of which only one is illustrated.

In the operation of the switch let it be assumed that telephone lines A and B are to be interconnected through trunk equipment 3. When line A originates a call, suitable means (not shown) energizes the magnet 28a to pull down its vertical bands 23. This downward movement of these bands 23 locally depresses their related horizontal ribbons IS in the region of the flexible tongues 19b thereof adjacent each related band 23. As a result of this depression, each of tongues iSb adjacent a depressed band 23 is flexed until the end of this tongue engages the notch ltd in its related actuator I! (Fig. 8).

Also, when telephone line A originates a call, suitable means (not shown) energizes a magnet such as 2011 after the operation of magnet 28a. This magnet draws ribbon i3 toward the right so that the tongue l9b thereof at X which is engaged in the notch ltd of the actuator, moves this actuator toward the right also. This movement of the actuator moves the contacts lib, no and l3b of the strip H, I2, and i3 individual to line A, into engagement with the contacts 5b, lb and 8b of the plate connected to one end of the trunk illustrated. Suitable means (not shown) actuates the magnet 28b associated with the other end of the illustrated trunk, to pull down its related vertical bands 23. Suitable means (not shown) then energizes the magnet 20b related to the wanted line B, to move its ribbon ll toward the right. This ribbon also has its tongue llb at Y in engagement at this time with a notch lid in its related actuator ll. Thus this actuator is advanced toward the right to move certain the contacts lib, I21; and lib oi the strips ll, l2 and It individual to the wanted line into engagement with the contact lb, lb and 3b of the plate connected to called end of the illustrated trunk. After the magnets 20a and 23b have been operated in the manner described, the two magnets 2311 and 23b associated with illustrated trunk, are released so that their vertical bands are raised to their normal position by their related restoring springs. The connection, however, is maintained by the operated magnets 23a and 23b. At the termination of the connection, magnets 23a and 23b and their related ribbons ll, is are released b suitable means (not shown) included in the trunk circuit Just used. The restoring springs II of the operated ribbons l3, l3 thereupon move these ribbons toward the left. This causes the to ues i3b of the restored ribbons to disengage the notches lid of their related actuators II which return to their normal position at the surfaces lie of these actuators. This movement of these actuators permits the spring elements Ha, I21: and I301 on their related strips ll, l2 and it to return to their normal positions due to the inherent resilience of these elements.

It should be pointed out that the conducting strips ii, i2 and I! may be notched at each window it, as indicated at 33 (Fig. 3) to snugly receive a plate 5 therein, so that the sheets 8, 1, 3 and 8 comprising each plate, are firmly held against separation, and the several plates areheld in flxed spaced relation. I

The present disclosure illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention, but there may be many variations and modifications thereof, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a multiple electrical terminal array, a set of superimposed conducting sheets insulatedly separated from each other, said sheets having a plurality of apertures therein in substantial registry, and normally exposed individual terminals at said apertures in each sheet supported by and electrically connected to said sheet.

2. In a multiple electrical terminal array, 2. set f superimposed conducting sheets insulatedly separated from each other, said sheets having a plurality of apertures therein in substantial registry, and normally exposed contact elements integral with the respective sheets and extending into said windows generally in the several planes of said sheets.

3. In a multiple electrical terminal array, a plate comprising superimposed conducting sheets insulatedly separated from each other, said plate having a plurality of rows of apertures coordinately arranged therein, and contact elements integral with said sheets and arranged in staggered relation at said apertures.

4. In a multiple electrical terminal array, a plate comprising superimposed conducting sheets insulatedly separated from each other, said plate having a plurality of rows of apertures coordinately arranged therein, contact elements integral with said sheets and arranged in staggered ascaoea relation at said apertures, and precious metal contacts attached to said contact elements.

5. In an automatic switch, a contact assembly comprising a plurality of spaced parallel sets of conducting sheets insulated from each other, each set of sheets having registering apertures therein, and contact terminals electrically connected to said sheets and accessible through the apertures in the respective sets of sheets.

6. In an automatic switch, a contact assembly comprising a plurality of spaced parallel sets of conducting sheets insulated from each other, each set of sheets having apertures therein in registry with the apertures in other sets, contact terminals electrically connected to said sheets, and switching elements extending through the apertures in the several sets of sheets adapted to engage contact terminals in said sheets.

'7. In an automatic switch, a contact assembly comprising a plurality of plates mounted in spaced parallel relation, each plate having apertures coordinately arranged therein, the corresponding apertures in the several plates being in alinement, each plate comprising several sheets of conducting material insulated from each other, contacts at said apertures electrically connected to said sheets, sets of conducting strips extending through the alined apertures of the several plates, said strips having contact elements selectively movable into engagement with said contacts, and means for selectively actuating said contact elements.

8. In an automatic switch, a contact assembly comprising a plurality of plates mounted in spaced parallel relation, each plate having. apertures arranged therein in vertical and horizontal rows, the corresponding apertures in the several plates being in alinement, each plate comprising several sheets of conducting material insulated from each other, contacts at said apertures electrically connected to said sheets, sets of conducting strips extending through the alined apertures of the several plates, said strips having contact elements selectively movable into engagement with said contacts, a horizontal actuating band for each horizontal row of apertures in each plate, a vertical actuating band for each vertical row of apertures in each plate, means for selectively operating a horizontal band and a vertical band associated with a given plate, and actuating means located at the intersectionof an operated horizontal band and an operated vertical band, said actuating means being moved by the operation of said last mentioned vertical and horizontal bands for moving certain of the contact elements of a set of contact strips into engagement with contacts on the plate adjacent said intersection.

9. In an automatic switch, a contact assembly comprising a plurality of plates mounted in spaced parallel relation, each plate having apertures arranged therein in vertical and horizontal rows, the corresponding apertures in the several plates being in alinement, each plate comprising several sheets of conducting material insulated from each other, contacts at said apertures electrically connected to said sheets, sets of conducting strips extending through the alined apertures of the several plates, said strips having contact elements selectively movable into engagement with said contacts, a horizontal actuating band for each horizontal row of apertures in each plate, a vertical actuating band for each vertical row of'apertures in each plate and having an opening adjacent each aperture of its row, each horizontal band extending through an opening in each vertical band, means for selectively operating a horizontal band and a vertical band associated with a given plate, and actuating means located at the intersection of an operated horizontal band and an operated vertical band, said actuating means being moved by the operation of said last mentioned vertical and horizontal bands for moving certain of the contact elements of a set of contact strips into engagement with contacts on the plate adjacent said intersection.

10. In an automatic switch, a contact assembly comprising a plurality of plates mounted in spaced parallel relation, each plate having apertures arranged therein in vertical and horizontal rows, the corresponding apertures in the several plates being in alinement, each plate comprising several sheets of conducting material insulated from each other, contacts at said apertures electrically connected to said sheets, set of conducting strips extending through the alined apertures of the several plates, each set of said strips having contact elements adjacent each of the aper tures through which it extends, said contact elements being selectively movable into engagement with said contacts, a horizontal actuating band for each horizontal row of apertures in each plate, a vertical actuating band for each vertical row of apertures in each plate, means for selectively operating a horizontal band and a vertical band associated with a given plate, and an actuator adjacent each aperture serving to hold the strips of its set in spaced relation and serving to move into engagement the contact elements and the contacts located at its aperture, an operated vertical band and an operated horizontal band serving to move the actuator located at their intersection.

ANDREW W. VINCENT. 

